Source: Elevate Aviation

This year marks our 6th annual Cross Country Tour! We have made the decision to once again present the tour virtually over five days, featuring incredible guest speakers from coast to coast, and reaching thousands of young girls and women.

From March 7-11th, our virtual tour will present from different regions across Canada. Each day will host 3 one-hour sessions, with an opportunity to hear from three different speakers per session. Attendees must register in advance for each session.

Women’s contributions to aviation and aerospace are crucial to the future of the industry. With looming occupational shortages and a desire for greater diversity, the need to promote aviation careers to women and girls is more important than ever.

The Cross Country Tour is free of charge. Each session features a different aspect of aviation in different regions of Canada. This is an opportunity for women of all ages to explore the variety of careers available in aviation and hear from women who are passionate about what they do. You will hear stories and learn some really cool things about careers such as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Air Traffic Controller, Pilot, Aerospace Engineer, and a variety of Airport Operations roles.

Schedule

The tour will take place virtually on Zoom from March 7-11, 2022. Participants will tune in live for presentations and Q&A with the guest speakers.

Each province / territory has unique and interesting aviation careers, roles, and needs. We recommend tuning in to your own region to hear about topics most relevant to you.

*Note the time zones for each date when selecting your preferred tour dates*

Monday, March 7 – Pacific

0900-1000 PST – In the Jump Seat: A look into different ways to travel while working. Participants will hear from Carolyn Hoffman, WestJet Flight Attendant (retired); Rhodielyn Padilla, Flight Instructor; and Brittany Mayo, travelling Aircraft Maintenance Engineer for Top Aces.

1030-1130 PST – On the Tarmac: A look into the critical roles that keep your flights running smoothly. With guest speakers Alisha Sohpaul, PRM (Person Responsible for Maintenance) at Iskwew Air; Michelle Ballantyne, AME at WestJet; and Ryley Ible, Ramp Agent at Executive Aviation.

1300-1400 PST – Beyond the Runway: A look behind the scenes of commercial aviation with Ashley Dhillon, Air Traffic Operations Specialist; Laura Mortensen, Airport Consultant; and Chelsey Wright, Manager Environment, Health and Safety.

Tuesday, March 8 – Central / Territories

0900-1000 CST – Unique Careers: Want to learn more about unique aviation careers? Hear from Tammie Kulyk, an air ambulance pilot, Patricia Beaudin, a chief controller in the RCAF, and Eden McNabb, an AME on the Gulf 757 in this session!

1030-1130 CST – From the Ground Up:

In this session, we will hear from Kendra Kincade, founder and CEO of Elevate Aviation and an air traffic controller, Carly Vancise, an air medic pilot and Tanya Bastien, an avionics system tech! From the ground up, you will learn about different aviation careers.

1300-1400 CST – Aviation Specialists: Would you like to hear from the specialists in aviation? Join this interesting session to hear from Jessica Walker, a jet engine specialist, Kim Ballantyne, a recruitment specialist at Manitoba Aerospace and Nicole Power, a twin otter captain!

Wednesday, March 9 – Ontario

0900-1000 EST – Aviate: Did you know that there are many different routes to being a pilot? Join us as we explore three different stories of women achieving their dreams in the sky. We will be talking to Heather Hills, Flight instructor; Allison Couch, Medevac Pilot, Air Bravo; and Erin Pratt, military helicopter pilot to talk about their every-day tasks, their journey to where they are, and anything you’re curious about – you just have to ask!

1030-1130 EST – Navigate: Have you ever wondered how aircraft are designed to perform at optimal levels? Or what kind of testing an aircraft goes through before flying with passengers? Or how they are kept in tip-top shape to take you safely to your destination? Join this session with Marla Haring, Aerospace Engineer; Crystalle Laamanen, Helicopter Aircraft Maintenance Engineer/Instructor; and Jessica Dizon-Burns, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer/Professor, to answer these questions and many more!

1200-1230 EST – Diversion: Need a quick detour to get your body moving between these informative panels? Follow along as our very own Ontario wing volunteer, Jodie Scarrow and Escape Routes Yoga, lead a short, pre-recorded yoga session to relieve tension and re-centre.

1300-1400 EST – Communicate: In this panel, we are highlighting some of the people who play a very important part in ensuring a successful flight behind-the-scenes. We will be chatting with Jackie Turnball, Flight Operations Systems Analyst; Angeline Ram, PhD Candidate researching safety reporting participation; and Andrea Kosior, Air Traffic Controller. Have you heard of these roles before? We can’t wait to learn more about how they keep operations running smoothly.

Thursday, March 10 – Quebec (FRENCH)

0900-1000 EST – Le Tour du Monde: Soyez parmis nous lors de cette session pour entendre la pilote Marie-Claire Beaulieu, une opératrice de contrôle aérospatial militaire Micheline Bertrand et une hôtesse de l’air ! Apprenez ce qu’il faut pour voler, comment les aéroports sont navigués autour des aéroports, et les aventures passionnantes et le travail d’un agent de bord!

1030-1130 EST – De la ”shop” au ”prop”: Soyez parmis nous lors de cette session pour entendre le témoignage d’Arianne Aubry-Barbeau, technicienne d’entretien d’aéronefs; Nour Utayim, pilote pour Air Inuit; et Sophie Robert, contrôleur aérien ! Apprenez comment les avions sont construits et réparés, ce que font les pilotes et comment les avions sont navigués autour des aéroports !

1300-1400 EST –La clé du succès, l’entraide: Soyez parmis nous lors de cette session pourentendre le témoignage de Cynthia Leitner, contrôleure de la circulation aérienne; Lcol Tara Willis, opératrice militaire; et Laurie Breton, instructeur de vol! Apprenez comment les avions et les hélicoptères sont navigués autour des aéroports, ce que font nos Forces armées canadiennes et comment apprendre à voler!

Friday, March 11 – Atlantic 

0900-1000 AST – Let’s Fly!: Hear from Dina Jammaz, Air Traffic Controller;  Cassandra Hepp, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer; and a pilot to discover what it takes to get an aircraft from point A to B.

1030-1130 AST – Airport Behind the Scenes: Head behind the scenes at an airport with Sarah Price, Nunavut Airports Project Manager; Tara Vidito, Senior Manager of Operations at Halifax Airport Authority; and Andrea Landry, Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter at Halifax Airport Authority.

1300-1400 AST – Maintenance: Enter the exciting and challenging world of aircraft maintenance with Denise Buklis – CAMO Maintenance Manager, Emma Hubert – Maintenance Planning/Programs, and Karly Barker – Senior designer and aviation photographer!

For more information, please visit: https://elevateaviation.ca/programs/tours/